Obituary of Lloyd Delbert Esau

October 15, 1943 - Swalwell, Alberta

March 31, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Lloyd Delbert Esau of Calgary, AB, passed away on Easter Sunday morning, March 31, 2024, at the age of 80 years.

Lloyd was born in Swalwell, AB, on October 15, 1943, and spent his childhood growing up in the nearby town of Carbon, on the Alberta prairies. There he loved to invent games to play with other kids and build rafts out of whatever materials he could find to float down the Kneehill Creek. He enjoyed skating and playing all sports, but he had a special fondness for baseball and curling. Gardening also took on early significance for Lloyd after a whimsical wish to plant pumpkins in the family garden resulted in a big payday from a raffle at the corner store for the biggest pumpkin the town had seen.

As a young adult, he moved to Calgary, AB, in the late 1960s to pursue his career and education. Lloyd graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Economics and Finance. He went on to have a successful career in the Oil and Gas industry where he specialized in seismic surveys, accounting, and business development. His attention to detail and affinity for numbers analysis also translated into his favourite hobby—horse racing. 

Throughout Lloyd’s life, his love of nature and Alberta’s varied landscapes were ever-present. He was an adventurer at heart, and his love for the outdoors was infectious. Wintertime was ski season, summertime was golf season, but every day was a good day to fish!  Casting fishing lures, ice fishing, and trolling were grand but using torpedo floats to simulate fly fishing on calm waters was when he was most at peace. He enjoyed planning trips, camping, going on drives in the country, biking, and horseback riding with his family. Conversely, Lloyd really did not like crowds or waiting in lines, but he truly loved his kids because he still took them to Disney World despite all of this.

By far the most important thing in Lloyd’s life was his family and he lovingly introduced his passion for being active and the outdoors to his children. In his later years, one of his joys was going for walks with his grandchildren, who were the light of his life during his last chapter. He would often have his binoculars and a small container of sunflower seeds in his coat pocket just in case he came across a chickadee. His grandchildren are now proud birders and adventures with Grandpa spanned the seasons, with looking for crocuses in the spring and watching the leaves change colour in the fall. All of which were often followed by a good meal.

Playing disc golf at Baker Park was a sport that he picked up well into his 70s but what truly made Grandpa Lloyd the coolest was his childlike wonder and his youthful enthusiasm to find fun and amusement in all situations. From planning Easter egg hunts in Fish Creek Park to pirate adventures on the bridges at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to exploring the “Octopus” (Grandfather) Tree at Historic Cochrane Ranche, to flying kites and hunting for flowers at Nose Hill Park. Grandpa Lloyd always brought the adventure, and it was basically a guarantee that his grandkids would be coming home with pockets full of rocks to the chagrin of their loving mother!

Lloyd was proudly recognized as Mr. January in the 2020 Thrive Centre Calendar for the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology, Health and Wellness Lab. Where he continued to make wonderful friends while focusing on fitness goals and maintaining an active lifestyle right to the end of his life.

Lloyd is remembered for his witty sense of humour and his unmistakable laugh that would light up the room. This was especially present during a good card game of Stop of the Bus (or 31) that he enjoyed up to the very end.  

He is greatly loved and greatly missed but he is felt everywhere.

Lloyd is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughter Tara Esau, son and daughter-in-law, Eric Esau, and Nicole Esau; and three grandchildren, William, Zachary, and Julianna. Lloyd is also survived by his brother Ken Esau, sister Ruby Goulding, as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Lloyd was predeceased by his parents, John and Elsie Esau; brother Roy Melvin Esau, sister-in-law Linda Esau, and brother-in-law Frank Goulding.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Prostate Cancer Centre, Southern Alberta Institute of Urology, at the Rockyview General Hospital, 6500-7007 14 Street SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9 Telephone 403-943-8888 or at www.prostatecancercentre.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lloyd’s family here.

In living memory of Lloyd Esau, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.